The Cleveland Browns have been predicted to finish in last place in the AFC North again next season.

Cleveland has finished last place in the AFC North two years in a row.

“At season’s end, the Browns will be in a familiar position—the AFC North basement,” Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report wrote.

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In Year 1 of the Todd Monken era, the Browns will face the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Bengals. That’s a tough schedule.

Cleveland drafted Spencer Fano, KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Austin Barber, Parker Brailsford, Justin Jefferson, Joe Royer, Taylen Green and Carsen Ryan in the 2026 draft. That’s a strong class.

The Browns’ defense will likely be good again with Myles Garrett and Carson Schwesinger leading the way. However, it’s the offense that has several question marks.

Deshaun Watson emerged from the Browns’ voluntary minicamp as the favorite to be the team’s starting quarterback. The former Texans star has the inside track to be Cleveland’s QB1 in 2026.

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Suspension and injuries have limited Watson to 19 games since he arrived in Cleveland. Since making his Browns debut, Watson has posted a 33.1 Total QBR, the lowest among qualified passers.

A Clemson product, Watson has 3,365 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns with Cleveland. He’s thrown 12 interceptions.

Watson has 17,904 passing yards and 123 passing touchdowns in the NFL with the Texans and Browns. He was the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft.

All signs point toward Watson starting for the Browns next season. It will be fascinating to see how he plays. If Watson turns back the clock, Cleveland may surprise the NFL world and win more than five games.

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However, if Watson struggles, the Browns will be the same old Browns.

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